The channel seems to be desperately trying to attract viewers
with more lifestyle programming, considering the cable news
channel faced their lowest viewership numbers in over a
decade last month.

Bourdain's new deal with CNN begins once production on the first
eight episodes of the new show stars this fall. The deal also
stipulates that Bourdain will be guest-contributing on other CNN
shows and that his "No Reservations" online blog will move over
to CNN.com

Mark Whitaker, the CNN Worldwide Executive Vice
President and Managing Editor, says Bourdain was frustrated that he had
restrictions on where he could travel while filming "No
Reservations." When the war between Israel and Hezbollah
escalated in 2006, Bourdain and his crew were filming but were
forced to be evacuated by U.S. Marines and Bourdain has said that
he felt "persistent shame and regret" over the events.

Meanwhile, Bourdain's current show, "No Reservations," is on its
eighth season.